This area down the side of my house is screaming for attention.
I'm gonna put some flowers and lots of color in here, and a brick planter box is an ideal
way to do it because it will stand the test of time, turning this dead area from this
into a space full of life and color.
These are all the tools and equipment you'll need to make a brick planter box.
To build this planter box level, we have to first ensure that the ground is level, so
we're digging it out to as level as possible with the shovel, and then we'll test it with
the level.
Yep, that's pretty good.
My planter box is going to be two bricks wide.
I'll measure out for this, allowing a little bit in between the brickworks for the mortar,
and we'll be doing this on both sides.
Once we've worked out these measurements, we'll be putting a peg in both these points
and we'll pull in a straight line through to get it parallel to the wall.
Now that the poles are set parallel to the wall, I'll set a string line in between 'em
to give me a straight guide for my brickwork.
The next step is mixing your mortar to layer bricks.
You can mix your mortar in a wheelbarrow with a shovel, or you can do like I'm gonna do.
I'm going to cheat and use a mixer.
One important tip is follow the instructions on the back of the bag, it will tell you the
proportions, and remember, don't add too much water to it, it'll become sloppy and you won't
be able to lay bricks properly.
This is how I test for consistency in the mortar to see if it's the right consistency.
I put a bit on the trail, shake it off.
Great, it's not slipping off the trail which is good.
This is the consistency I need.
If it fell off the trail, it will be too sloppy.
To layer bricks, I will be laying some mortar on the ground.
We'll be bedding the brick into that mortar with a little bit of mortar in between each
brick.
My brick planter box is only going to be three-quarters high, so this ground is hard enough to take
that pressure.
If it was any higher, we might consider putting a concrete footing down, but because it's
only three high, then no footings are required, just level off and lay on a bit of mortar.
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Okay, now we make sure that both ends are level.
And it's dead level.
Adjust your string line.
Once we've adjusted it, we've got level on both sides and we can lay a nice, straight
brick from one end to the other.
To lay the bricks in this middle section, we just repeat the process, we just lay mortar
on the ground, put the bricks on top, buttering [SP] into the brick to butt into the previous.
As you go, tap down your brickwork to the line, that way you'll achieve a nice, straight
brickwork and it will look good.
The first level is the most important.
Once that is down level and straight, we know that above it all we have to do is be consistent
and we'll achieve the same thing.
We align this brick with a half bond, which simply means that the underlying brick is
covered by the top brick up to the halfway mark and not over.
To cut a half brick, simply measure to the middle of the brick and mark it with a pencil,
then use a bolster and hammer to achieve the result.
Now that we have our first course down and it's level, square and parallel, we just repeat
the process for two more courses to achieve the height of our planter box, using the half
bricks that we've broken in the corner to start our half bond.
Lay your corners first step [SP], and run a string line in between them to achieve the
same result as the first course, a straight, consistent piece of brickwork.
While the mortar is still wet, use a damp sponge, not too wet, just slightly damp to
take off all the ugly little bits that are sitting on the brick and smooth out the joints.
To finish off the brickwork, we're simply putting a little concrete capper over the
top.
We align this with the same mortar as we lay the bricks.
You can leave it raw or paint it.
I'm gonna paint the concrete edging on the planter box so it matches the color scheme
of the house.
And there you have it, that's how you build a brick planter box.
Remember, if you're going to fill it with dirt, it's a good idea to waterproof it with
a Bitumen-based paint, but wait at least seven days before applying the product.
Well here we are, the finished product, our brick planter box.
With a bit of care and attention, you can build this yourself quite easily.
From an antique dirt patch on the side of my house to a good looking planter box that
will stand the test of time.